Murder at the 42nd Street Library - (42nd Street Library Mysteries) by Con Lehane (Paperback)

About the Book

This novel "opens with a murder in a second floor office of the iconic, beaux-arts flagship of the New York Public Library. Ray Ambler, the curator of the library's crime fiction collection, joins forces with NYPD homicide detective Mike Cosgrove in hopes of bringing a murderer to justice. In his search for the reasons behind the murder, Ambler uncovers hidden--and profoundly disturbing--relationships between visitors to the library. These include a celebrated mystery writer who has donated his papers to the library's crime fiction collection, that writer's missing daughter, a New York society woman with a hidden past, and one of Ambler's colleagues at the world-famous library"--]cProvided by publisher.

Book Synopsis

This first book in an irresistible new series introduces librarian and reluctant sleuth Raymond Ambler, a doggedly curious fellow who uncovers murderous secrets hidden behind the majestic marble façade of New York City's landmark 42nd Street Library.

Murder at the 42nd Street Library follows Ambler and his partners in crime-solving as they track down a killer, shining a light on the dark deeds and secret relationships that are hidden deep inside the famous flagship building at the corner of 42nd Street and Fifth Avenue.

In their search for the reasons behind the murder, Ambler and his crew uncover sinister, and profoundly disturbing, relationships among the scholars studying in the iconic library. Included among the players are a celebrated mystery writer who has donated his papers to the library's crime fiction collection; that writer's long-missing daughter, a prominent New York society woman with a hidden past, and more than one of Ambler's colleagues at the library. Shocking revelations lead inexorably to the traumatic events that follow--the reading room will never be the same.

Review Quotes

"Lehane (Death at the Old Hotel, 2007, etc.) awards his previous detective, bartender Brian McNulty, a cameo but focuses on the complicated Ray, who looks like a promising newcomer in the talented-amateur ranks." --Kirkus (starred)

"Lehane's enjoyable first in a new series introduces crime fiction librarian Raymond "Ray" Ambler (possibly a nod to authors Raymond Chandler and Eric Ambler)...The bodies begin to pile up as Ambler and two librarian colleagues dig deeper, evoking poignant parallels in the lives of Ambler and his homicide detective friend, Mike Cosgrove. Fans of Lehane's cranky bartender Brian McNulty, the hero of his earlier series (Death at the Old Hotel, etc.), will welcome his appearance in a supporting role." --Publishers Weekly

"Lehane, better known for his "Bartender Brian McNulty" series (Death at the Old Hotel), brings McNulty along for the ride (as a minor character) in this library-set series launch. His protagonist, named after two masters of the genre (Raymond Chandler and Eric Ambler), reflects the author's in-depth knowledge of the history of the genre.A fun read for mystery buffs and librarians alike." --Library Journal

"Pick up D.C. author Con Lehane's Murder at the 42nd Street LIbrary."--Michael Dirda, The Washington Post

"Ray makes a sturdy, believable hero for this new series. Murder at the 42nd Street Library will make readers want to schedule a visit to this archetypal library during their next visit to New York City."--Sun Sentinel

"Con Lehane provides a fine story, strong and believable characters, and a wonderful setting." --NY Journal of Books

"This provocative story features a cast of characters that are well fleshed out, completely fallible and very human. And Lehane sure can write a villain--there are plenty of people you can love to hate in this book, from the arrogant researcher and his cheating wife to the abusive caretaker of the fragile woman down the street. Ambler himself is a shrewd character who immediately brings to mind the phrase 'still waters run deep.' Murder at the 42nd Street Library is altogether an intriguing tale of jealousy and revenge, peppered with colorful characters and a shocking conclusion." --Crimespree

"Con Lehane's Murder at the 42nd Street Library offers up a masterful tale of intrigue, jealousy, and revenge in the grand tradition of Ross Macdonald. Not to be missed." --Megan Abbott

"A sly and witty new mystery." --Reed Farrel Coleman, award-winning author of The Hollow Girl

"An inventive tale of murder and mayhem. Con Lehane, like his librarian-sleuth Ray Ambler, knows how to keep his readers happy." --Daniel Stashower, Edgar-winning author of The Hour of Peril

"In Murder at the 42nd Street Library Con Lehane provides a riveting ride...Jam-packed with surprises!" --Katherine Neville, New York Times bestselling author

"Raymond Ambler is the perfect character to show off Con Lehane's deep love and almost Encyclopedic knowledge of crime fiction. The New York City librarian truly knows both his fictional and real mean streets. I'm looking forward to seeing where Lehane takes Ambler next. " --Ace Atkins, New York Times Best-selling author of The Forsaken and Robert B. Parker's Cheap Shot.

About the Author

Con Lehane is a mystery writer, living outside Washington, DC. Murder at the 42nd Street Library is the first in his series featuring Raymond Ambler, curator of the (fictional) crime fiction collection at New York City's landmark 42nd Street Library. Lehane is also the author of the novels featuring New York City bartender Brian McNulty. Over the years, he (Lehane, that is) has been a college professor, union organizer, labor journalist, and has tended bar at two-dozen or so drinking establishments. He teaches fiction writing and mystery writing at The Writer's Center in Bethesda, Maryland.